Printing press



| P. HUGHES "PRINTING PRESS Jan. 10, 1939.

Filed Feb. 6, 1936 l2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ew Ha glig/veS.

'f AL; ATTO RNEYS L. P. HUGHES PRINTING PRESS 1 Jan. l0, 1939.

12" Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1956 AT .bx u?. m @n www l `lNvENToR ew- F. Hughes. BY

ATTORNEYS AS Mm,

Jan.. l0, 1939. r LfP. HUGHES 2,143,377

PRINTING PRESS Filed Feb. e, 1936 12'sheetS-sheet 5 l INVENTOR Lew' Hughes. BY

ATTO R N EYS Jan. 10, 1939.

1 P. HUGHES PRINTING PRESS Filed Feb. 6, 1936 l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 Lew' f? Hag/ves.

INVENTOR M l v /45 N fly# Jan. 1o, 1939.

PRINTING PRESS Filed Feb. 6, 1956 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNvENToR Lew' R Hug/les.

ATTO RNEYS P. 'HUGHES 2,143,377

L. P. HUGHES PRINTING PRES S Jan. 10, 1939.

l2 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 6, 1936 v ATTORNEYS i lNvl-:NTQR Lew Pf Hughes. BY

Jan. 1o, 1939.

| P. i-uJGl-usv PRINTING PRESS 12 sheets-sheet '7 Filed Feb. e, 193e um" g INVENTOR Lew' Hughes.

mam, g ATTORNEYS..

L. P. HUGl-iEs 2,143,377-

PRINTING PRESS Filed Feb.- 6., 1956-r l2SheetS-Sheet 8 lNvEN-roR Lew" P Hug/76S. BY

Jail. 1 0, 1939.

Jam 1o, 1939,

L. P. HUGHES v PRINTING PRESS l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Feb. 6, 1936 nNvEN-ron Lew E Hug/ves.

BY Q

ATTORNEYS.

PRINTING PRESS I Filed Feb. 6, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 kij/fag y l\ INVENTOR Q Lev/' f? Hug/vies.

BY rw L, P. HUGHES PRINTING PRESS Jan. 1G, 14939.11

Filed Feb.' e, 195e 1g sheets-sheet 11 L. P. HUGHES P RINTING PRESS Jan.' 1o, 1939.

Filed Feb. 6, 1936 l2 Sheets-Sheet l2 [III t INVENTOR 'Lew P Hughes.

BY n 7 ATTORNEYS,

Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

The invention relates to printing presses, and. more particularly to special presses for printing special matter on multiform sheets.

According to the invention, a machine of the above type is provided in which suitable adjustments are made to accommodate different size forms; different numbers of forms per sheet and different arrangements of the printed matter on the forms.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of pincer-like gripping devices for slidably engaging the edges of the sheets in such manner as to maintain the sheets in contact with a longitudinal guide through the machine.

A still further feature of the invention is. the provision of a special movement for the printing head in which the printing head is given both a vertical and rotative movement. 'Ihis movement is such that when the printing head is in its upper position, the type faces the front of the machine so that the operator can inspectit and when the printing head is in its lowerposition, the type faces downwardly to print upon the sheet resting on the platen.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a relatively simple, dependable, highly efficient and convenient apparatus of the type above indicated.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a side View of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the machine;

Figs. 3 and 3a are supplementary sections taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, these figures being coextensive along the lines A-A;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 5 4 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sections taken on the lines 5 5 and 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 'l is a detailed side view showing the mounting of the printing mechanism facing the left side of the machine;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 facing the right side of the machine;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section taken through the printing mechanism;

(Cl. lol-316) Fig. 10 is a transverse section taken on the line IU-IU of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a perspective illustrating the construction of the stop mechanism and particular- 1y that of the first stop device;

Figs. 12 and 13 are side and end views respectively of a stop operating cam;

Fig. 14 is a perspective illustrating the construction and adjustment of one of the posterior stop mechanisms;

Fig. 15 illustrates one type of multiform sheet which may be printed by this machine.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several gures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this speciiication, certain specic disclosure of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modied in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 3a, the general arrangement of the machine includes a frame 2l); a

feed board 2l for supporting the sheets to be printed; a feed roll 21 for picking up the sheet and feeding it into the machine when released by gate 28; platen 22 between which and printing head 26 the sheet is printed; traveling belts 23 for carrying the sheet through the machine; adjustable stops 33, 32, 3l, 30 and 29 for successively stopping the sheet with the forms in proper position for printing; slidable friction pincers 34, 35 and 36 for maintaining the sheet against guide bar 31 during the printing operations and fly sticks 38 for transferring the sheets onto a delivery plate 25.

Although the machine may be used for printing many different kinds of multiform sheets, a sheet of bank checks is taken for purposes of explaining the invention. These sheets commonly run three or five checks to a sheet. The present machine is arranged to accommodate five checks per sheet or any lesser number of checks per sheet.

Referring to Fig. l5, a ve bank check sheet is shown. These sheets are usually completely printed with everything except certain special printing, as for example, the check numbers and the name of the drawer, before coming to the present machine.

CFL

Referring to Fig. 15, the separate bank checks making up the sheet are denoted by 4|. These checks are separated from each other and from the marginal stub 42 by perforated lines indicated by 43.

The machine according to the invention supplies the special data, such as check numbers, indicated by 44, and the printed name of the drawer, indicated by 45 and 46. The printed name may be placed near the signature, as at 45 and at the left hand side of the check, as at 45, or at any other position. The printed numbers may be placed at the left hand upper corner of the check, as at 44, or at any other corner of the check, the corresponding number being also printed on the stub. The name of the drawer will, of course, be the same on each check, but the check numbers will be consecutive.

Referring again to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 5 and 6,

the frame 20 comprises main side members 4'! l and 48 connected by cross members 49 and 50, bed and other bars and tie rods to impart the necessarystrength to the machine. The frame also includes the printing mechanism posts 52 and 53 (Fig. 4) which posts may be integral with the side members 47 and 48 or separate. If separate, these posts will be suitably bolted to the side members as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The frame supports the various mechanisms which will be described in detail hereinafter and also may support a suitable electric drive motor (not shown).

Printing mechanism Referring now more particularly to Figs. l, 2, 4 and 7 to 10, the printing head 26 is arranged to reciprocate vertically between the frame posts 52 and 53 and at the same time to have a rotative movement. When the printing head 28 isin its upper position, as shown in Fig. 2, the type faces the operator and when the printing head 26 is in its lower position, the type rests on the printed sheet, held between the type face and the platen 22 The printing head 25 comprises an impression bar 54 supporting a chase 55. Chase 55 is a frame-like structure having type spaces 58, 51. In the spaces may be located the numbering mechanism for placing the consecutive numbers on the bank checks and also the type for printing the name of the drawer on the checks. If desired, the numbering mechanism may constitute an automatic numbering machine which automatically changes to the next higher number each time a number is printed.

Referring to Figs. 2, 4 and 10, the chase 55 is secured to impression bar 54 by chase retaining ngers 58 engaging in an angular seat in the top of the chase 55, the bottom of the chase also having an angular seat resting on bar 60. Suitable spring devices 59A yieldably hold the fingers 58 against the chase 55.

Suitable mechanism is also provided for lifting the fingers 58 to remove the chase. This mechanism comprises cam bar 6| having cam surfaces` engaging the lingers 58. To remove the chase, a rod (not shown) is engaged against projection 6 and, with lug 36| acting as a fulcrum, the cam. bar 6| is moved laterally to raise ngers 58, thus releasing the chase,'as will be understood by those Y skilled in the art.

Referring to Figs. 2, 4, 7, 8, 9 and l0, the im-f journals 66, 61 disposed in vertical sliding blocks 64, S5 which slide respectively in vertical ways 68, 69 in vertical posts 52, 53. Disposed within post 52 is chase turning block l0, this block having a cam roller (Fig. 7) operating in cam slot 'I2 in cam plate 13 suitably bolted to post 52.

On the other side of the chase block or impression bar 54 is a chase aligning block 'I8 (Fig. 8) sliding within the post 53 and adapted to engage between aligning guides '|8. These aligning guides 11, 78 cooperate with machined surfaces 80, 8| on chase aligning block 18. This construction insures that the face of the type seats squarely on the platen 22. Adjusting slots 82 are provided and, if desired, adjusting bolts 83 may be provided to adjust the aligning guides and 18 to give the desired setting.

To limit the lower movement of the impressio-n bar, stop plates 84, 85 (Figs. '7, 8 and l0) are provided. These stop plates are located on opposite sides of the machine and Within the posts 52, 53. For closing the space in which the chase aligning block 16 moves, a plate 'i9 may be secured to the post 53 (Fig. 8).

The impression bar is driven by a main cross head 88 (Fig. 4) to which it is connected by heavy rods 96, 91 passing through openings in bed 5|. These rods 96, 91 are securely bolted to cross head 88 at one end and at the other end are provided with eyes 98, 99 journalled on the impression bar or chase block 54.

The main cross head 88 is driven by eccentrics 89, 90 mounted on eccentric sheaves secured to one revolution clutch shaft 9| (Fig. 4). The eccentrics 89, 90 are pivoted to cross head 88 by pivots 62.

The operation of one revolution clutch shaft 9| will be described later more in detail. It suffices to point out here that every time this shaft makes one revolution, the printing head 26 travels to its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 2, at which point the chase 55 faces the operator. As the eccentrics 89, 90 pull the rods 96, 9'! downwardly, the printing head 26 is guided downwardly by the vertical guideways 68, 89. This causes the cam roller to ride in cam slot 12, causing the printing head 26 to rotate as it moves downwardly so that when it reaches its printing position, the chase 55 squarely faces the platen 22.

Inlcz'ng mechanism The ink cylinders are denoted in general by |0| (Fig. 4). They may be mounted on a shaft |02 journalled in the frame members 52, 53 and driven by a chain |03. Spreading rolls, indicated in general by |04, and mounted on shafts H0, (Fig. 7) are provided for spreading the ink uniformly on the ink cylinders |0|. The spreading rolls |04 are given a rotating movement by contact with the ink rolls |0| and at the same time they are given an axial movement by cam motion.

Referring to Figs. 4, 7 and l0, the shaft |02 carries a cam |06 which cooperates with followers |01, |08 (Fig. '7). These followers are pivoted on a shaft |09 suitably secured on the adjoining frame and carry projections |00 operating in grooves on pulleys 99 mounted on the shafts ||0 and For transferring ink from the ink cylinders 0| to the type, transfer rolls, indicated in general by H2, H3, are provided. Referring to Figs. 2, 4 and 9, these rolls are mounted on shafts ||4 and H5, these shafts being mounted in separate frames H6, These frames I6, I are sepa- Y slots |53 for rods |49.

rately pivoted at |22 to long side bars |20, |2| running in vertical grooves and operated by a special cam |23 on the one revolution shaft 9| (Fig. 4). Separate springs |24, |25 separately and yieldably urge the rollers 2, H3 against the type face and ink cylinders IDI.

For the purpose of transferring rolls ||2, ||3 back and forth between ink rolls |0| and the type face, lspecial transfer mechanism is provided. Shafts I4, l5 have wheels or rollers H8, 9 riding on side rails |29, |39 mounted on the chase block 54 and on side bars |3|, |32. These side bars are mounted on shaft |33 and are operated by a cam action. This cam action is caused by rollers |34, |35 mounted on the bars |3|, |32, which rollers ride in cam openings |36 (Fig. 9) in cam plates |31, |38 attached to the eyes 98, 99 of eye bolts 96, 91 (Fig. 9).

The long side bars |29, 2| (Fig. 4) are operated by a cross rod |26 pivoted to link |21 which in turn is pivoted to arm |28 (Fig. l) pivoted to the frame. Lever |29 carries a follower Working on cam |23 which is mounted on one revolution shaft 9 I.

It will be noted that arms or tracks |29, |39 and |3|, |32 overlap to provide a smooth path for the wheels ||8, ||9 to permit smooth transfer of the ink carried by transfer rolls ||2, |3 from inking rolls ||l| to the face of the type.

As the impression bar 54 'moves downwardly, the cam |23 is so arranged that the transfer rolls ||2, ||3 move upwardly. Thus while the impression bar or chase block 54 is engaging the platen 22, the transfer rolls ||2, ||3 are engaging the ink rolls |0|. As the chase block 54 moves upwardly and the chase 55 rotates to a position facing the operator, shown in Fig. 2, the transfer rolls |2, 3 roll to their lowermost position to spread ink on the facing of the type. The separate supports for the rollers ||2, ||3 insure better contact between the transfer rolls and the ink rolls and type.

Gate

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the gate 28 passes through an opening in the feed plate |90 to hold back the sheet until the printing mechanism is ready to receive it and to print the first form on the sheet. The gate operating cam shaft |49 journalled in cross member 5|) and in bed 5| (Fig. 2). Cam shaft |49 has a. cam |4| (Fig. 4) cooperating with follower |42 on lever |43 fulcrumed at |44. Lever |43 is pivoted to link |45, which in turn is pivoted to lever |46 on shaft |41. Shaft |41 is suitably journalled in the rame of the machine and carries the gate fingers First stop mechanism Referring now to Figs. 2, 5 and l1, the first stop mechanism includes stop fingers 33 directly behind the bed 5|. The position of these fingers 33 is longitudinally adjustable for different jobs by means of adjusting nuts |51 located at the front side of the bed 5|.

The stop fingers 33 are secured to cross plate |48 (Fig l1) mounted on rods |49 pivoted at |59 to studs secured to fixed frame bar |5|. The cross plate |48 reciprocates vertically with respect to adjustable cross bar |52, which bar has Plate |48 has slots |54 through which pass headed screws |55. Cross plates |48 may oscillate vertically between headed screws |55 and strips |52 secured to the adjacent cross bar |52.

For adjusting the stop fingers 33 longitudinally of the machine, adjustable lcross bar |52 and plate |48 are slidable on rods |49. An adjusting rod |56 is pinned to bar |52 and passes through fixed bar |5| to which it it held in adjustable relation by thumb nuts |51. To maintain the alignment of bar |52, nipples |58 are secured thereto and have telescopic relation with rods |59 secured to fixed bar |5|.

For driving the stop fingers 33 to raise them so as to stop the sheets to be printed, a cam assembly |6| on cam shaft |40 drives follower |62 on cross bar |63 normally resting on bed bars |18. Rods |64 are pinned to cross bar |63 and pass through bed bars |18 through eyes |65 on rods |49. Springs |66 are interposed between heads on rods |64 and the eyes |65 and cotter pins |65 limit the upward position of eyes |65 on rods |64.

In operation, the fingers 33 are normally down out of the way. As the cam |6| rotates and engages follower |62, it raises rods |49 which in turn raise plate |48 carrying fingers 33. This places the fingers 33 in the path of the advancing sheets, intercepting them so that one of the forms thereon may be printed. After the printing operation, the 'cam |6| permits the ngers 33 to drop out of the way, thus permitting the sheet to advance to the next stop position.

Additional stop mechanisms Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2, 3, 3a, 11 and 14, additional sets of fingers 29, 39, 3| and 32 are provided for stopping the sheets at subsequent positions to print the subsequent forms thereon. These sets of fingers are mounted on cross bars |61, |68, |69, |10 also resting on bed bars |18. Each of these finger supporting bars forms part of a frame including side members and an end member, each one of which is adjustably mounted on a central longitudinal adjusting screw |15.

Since these frames and their adjustments are similar, it is only necessary to describe one in detail. Referring to Fig. 14, the frame is shown, of which cross bars |61 form a part. The side members |1| are secured to cross bar |61 and are also secured to blocks |12. These blocks |12 have projecting threaded screws |13 threaded in openings in adjustable bar |14. Central adjusting screw |15 passes through adjustable bar |14 and thumb nuts |16 are provided for adjusting the bar |14 to the desired position.

Thus it will be seen that the position of stop fingers 29 is determined by adjusting thumb nuts |16. The transfer bar |61 normally rests on bed bar |18, but when its particular cani engages follower |31, the fingers 29 rise up to intercept the movement of the sheets. As the fingers 29 move up and down, the screws |l'3 in their recesses in adjustable bar |14 act as pivots. It will be noted that one end of the long adjusting screw |15 rests in post |11 secured to frame cross member 49. The other end of this adjusting screw is engaged in cross member 59 (Fig. 2). It will be fiuthermore observed, par-` ticularly from Figs. 2, 3a and ll, what the longftudinal frame members of each anterior stop mechanism lies inside the corresponding frame members of the stop mechanism next posterior thereto and that the position of each set of stop fingers is adjustable by adjusting its corresponding thumb nuts on the main adjusting screw |15.

It will be noted that the bed bars |18 are supnorted'by support-.members 88 (Figs. .2, 5 and ,14) depending from guide bars 302 and by support members |88 (Fig. 11) to adjoining parts of the frame of the machine under the path of travel of the sheets.

Cam construction Referring more particularly toFigs, 12 and 13, cam |6I for operating the first set of stop fingers will be described. This cam comprises a disc |62 axially adjustable on the cam shaft |48. This disc carries 'cam segments |8| and |82. Cams |83 and |84 are similar in construction to cam |6|. Cams |85 and |86, however, have only a single cam segment. A ll cams, however, are axially adjustable on shaft |48 to correspond with the longitudinal adjustment of their corresponding stop fingers and to permit the desired cam segment to engage its follower.

Two segment cams |6|, |83 and |84 are for use with sheets carrying either three or five forms and cams |85 and |86 vare only used with sheets carrying ve forms. Thus, for a three form sheet, only cams |6|, |83 and |84 are used. In this instance, cams |85 and |86 are adjusted so as to have no operation on their followers. For three form sheets, the 'cams are adjusted so that their longer segments engage their followers. For five form sheets all of the cams are used and the three two-segment cams are arranged so that their shorter segments engage their followers.

1 Sliding pincers Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, frictional grippers or pincers 34, and 36 are provided for frictionally grasping the sheets and holding them against the lateral guide 31. Each of these pincers has two movements, namely, the opening and closing of the jaws and the lateral movement of the pincers as a whole. As shown particularly in Fig. 3, these pincers operate through openings in the guide 31. The guide is undercut at |89 (Fig. 10) and is secured to the bed 5| and to the frame of the machine in the manner indicated. As shown in Fig. 4, a stationary plate |90 registers with the bottom of the groove |89 and, as shown in Fig. 10, the platen 22 registers with the groove |89.

As these pincers are substantially identical, a

description of one will suiiice for all. V The pincers 36 comprise a lower jaw |95 and an upper jaw |96. The lower jaw is fixed to the lever |93 and is disposed below the supporting surface for the sheets so that it will easily pass under the sheets. The movable upper jaw |96 is pivoted to the lever |93 at |91 and a spring |98 operates to yieldably keep the pincers closed.

Lateral movement of the pincers is caused by a cam |92 (Fig. 4,) on cross head 88 operating a follower 2|| on lever 2|2 secured to shaft |94 journalled in the bed 5|. Secured to shaft |94 Y are the several levers, one of which is denoted by |93 for supporting the pincers 34, 35 and 36. As the cross head 88 moves up and down, the cam |92 will cause the pincers to move in and out laterally.

' lower 285 operated by cam 286 on the one revolution shaft 9 Delivery Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3a, the fly sticks 38 are mounted on fly shaft 262. These fly sticks carry stops 309 and fit in recesses in the frame in such way as to receive the sheets carried by the belts 23. The iiy shaft 262 carriesa pinion engaged by a rack 263 slidable in a holder 269. T he rack 263 is operated by shaft 264 having a fork 265 receiving shaft 268. Shaft 268 carries cam 266 which engages a follower 261 on fork 265 causing rod 264 to oscillate against the tension of spring 268. As the rod 264 oscillates back and forth, the fly sticks 38 execute an approximately movement, flipping the sheets received thereon while in the position shown in Fig. 3a and delivering these sheets onto the delivery plate 25 (Fig. 1).

Path of sheets through machine For feeding the sheets to the printing position, a feed roller 21 (Fig. 2) mounted on shaft 255 is provided. This feed roller operates through an opening in feed plate |90 and has cooperating therewith a series of balls 281 held in suitable holders (Fig. 3) supported by cross bar 303. Hold-down fingers 384 are also provided. This feed roller sufces to feed the sheets across the platen 22 where they are engaged successively by the stops 33, 32, 3|, 30 and 29.

From the platen 22 the sheets are carried by a series of moving belts 23 resting on bed platesv 2|8 (Figs. 5 and 6). These belts are supported by pulleys 2|3, 2|4 and 2|5 (Fig. 2). A series of angular members 2|6 are provided for transferring the sheets from the platen 22 to the belts 23.

For holding down the sheets against the belts 23, a series of balls 208 located in holders 289 are provided. These holders are supported by bar 289'. The several stop fingers 29, 38, 3| and 32 project up between the belts 23 in stripper channels 38| suitably supported by bar 289'. The stop nngers pass through slots in guide bars 302 (Figs. 3, 3a, 5 and 6).

It will be noted that the bed plates 2|8 and guide bars 382 are supported, at their back ends, on frame cross bar 58 (Fig. 6) and at their front ends on cross bar 386 (Fig. 5) resting on bed bars |18 which in turn are supported by rods |80 extending to the side members of the frame of the machine.

Driving mechanism Referring more particularly to Figs. l, 2, 3, 3a and 4, the main drive shaft 258 has a fly wheel thereon driven by a belt 2 |1, which in turn is driven by a suitable motor either located on the machine or on a separate support. Drive shaft 250 rotates at all times and drives belt shaft 253 by chain 254. Belt shaft 253 in turn drives ink cylinder shaft |02 by chain |83. Shaft 2|5, on which pulley 2 I5 is mounted, drives feed roller shaft 255 by chain 2|8. These shafts do not require any timing and hence can run continuously. All other shafts are under the control of one revolution shaft 9|.

Main drive shaft 258 supports a hub on which gear 25| is frictionally mounted. Gear 25| drives gear 252 mounted on one revolution shaft 9|. Gear 252 runs loosely on one revolution shaft 9i,

but may be connected thereto by a one revolution clutch 93 (Fig. 4). One revolution clutches are well known and, as such, form no part of the present invention. The frictional engagement between the hub on main drive shaft 250 and gear 2.5i is necessary to take up the shock which would otherwise occur when the one revolution clutch 93 is suddenly engaged.

The one revolution clutch is controlled by foot pedal 9d (Fig. 1) which is suitably pivoted to the frame and which operates a link 95 which operates one revolution clutch 93. The one revolution clutch operates in such manner that when pedal @It is depressed and immediately released the one revolution shaft 9| makes one complete revolution and stops.

One revolution shaft 9| drives sprocket 2id by chain 257. Gear 3I9 carried on the rear of sprocket Zig drives gear 256 mounted on shaft 258. Gear 256 is a change speed gear and is replaced according to the number of forms per sheet. Gear M9 is journalled on bar 220 which is adjustable between positions denoted by 22| for dierent size gears. Shaft 258 drives main cam shaft Idil through bevel gears 259 (Fig. 2).

Fly stick operating shaft 250 is driven by chain 25H from shaft 258.

Operation To operate the machine, it is rst determined the number of forms per sheet and the size of the forms. rIhe chase 55 is supplied with the desired type and the stops are adjusted to register each form on the sheet directly under the printing head. The several cams I6I, i3-|86 are adjusted to give the desired timing action.

The sheets to be printed are fed by an operator, one by one, onto feed plate |90. These sheets are picked up by feed roller 21 and carried to gate 2B. When the operator depresses foot pedal Sil, gate 28 rises at the proper time and the sheets are fed to the first position against stop fingers 53. The printing head comes down and prints the first form. As the printing head rises, stop fingers 33 drop and the sheet moves against the next stop lingers 32 at which position the second form is printed. As the printing head again rises, the sheet advances until it engages the stop fingers 3l at which position the third form is printed and so on until all the forms are printed and the belts 23 carry the sheets to the delivery mechanism. The periodic operation of the y sticks 3B in timed relation to the rest of the machine carries each sheet off the rollers and delivers it onto the delivery plate 25.

All the while the sheets are being fed through the machine, the sliding pincers 34, 35 and 35 slidably pull the sheets against the guide bar El, holding the sheets always in proper register during the printing operation. It should here be noted that the pincers are so arranged that at no time is any sheet gripped at one end only during the printing operation. If the sheet is gripped at the ends, it is always gripped by If it is gripped by a single two or more pincers. pincer, it is gripped at the middle of the sheet. This distribution of pincers prevents any misalignment of the sheets during the printing operation.

The machine is adjustable to any number of forms per sheet and to any size form or sheet within the limits of the machine. The positions of the various stop iingers are adjustable. The positions of the cams are adjustable to correspond to the stop fingers and also to correspond to the number of forms per sheet. Furthermore, the timing of `the cam shaft is also adjustable by the change speed gears 319, 256.

The combined vertical and rotative movement applied to the printing head 25 is of advantage in that it facilitates inking the face of the type and it exposes the type form to the operator when in its upper position. Thus, the operator can set or change numbers of the consecutive numbering machine, if necessary, to correct the numbering. The operator can also note the condition of the type and, if necessary, take suitable action to remedy any defects. When the type head assumes its printing position, provision is made for it to be absolutely true so as to make a perfect printed form.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

, What is claimed is:

1. In a printing press, a horizontal platen, means for feeding the sheets to be printed across the top of said platen from the front of the machine, an impression bar, printing devices secured to said impression bar, operating devices secured to said platen, said operating devices acting upon said impression bar to cause it to contact said sheets horizontally on said platen and to cause said impression bar to rotate upwardly and vertically away from said platen so that its printing face is visible to the operator at the front of the machine, each time it moves upwardly.

2. In a printing press, a platen, impression bar mechanism comprising first and second standards having vertical guideways, said standards projecting upwardly from said platen, sliding blocks in said guideways, a chase block journalled in said sliding blocks, a chase turning block connected to said chase block and having a cam follower, a cam plate having a cam slot in which said cam follower rides, a chase aligning block secured to said chase block, aligning guides between which said chase aligning block passes to square the type when it presses against said platen, stop plates at the lower ends of said vertical guideways, and means for impressing vertical reciprocating motion on said chase block.

3. In a printing press, impression bar mechanism comprising rst and second standards having vertical guideways, sliding blocks in said guideways, a chase block between said standards having parts journalled in said sliding blocks, a chase turning block outside of said rst standard and connected to said chase block and having a cam roller mounted thereon, a cam plate outside said chase turning block and having a cam slot in which said cam roller rides, said second standard having a chase aligning block on the outer side thereof, said second standard having at its lower end a pair of aligning guides between which said chase aligning block passes to square the type, both said standards having stop plates at the lower ends of said vertical guideways, a pair of operating rods inside said standards connected to said chase block,`and means for impressing vertical reciprocating motions on said operating rods.

4. In a printing press, an impression making device comprising an impression head, a platen,

pression head to an easilyl inspectable position, an inking cylinden'a transfer roll, andmeans for moving said transfer roll from said inking cylinder to said impression head when the latter is in its upper position.

, 5. In a printing head, a frame, an ink-carrying roll, a horizontal platen, an impression bar carrying type, means for imparting a combined Vertical an'd rotative movement to said impression bar so that, when in its upper position, the type faces the front of the machine and, when in its lower position, the type faces said platen, said impression bar carrying side rails, transfer mechanism comprising a pair of transfer arms pivoted to thev topv of the frame, said transfer arms overlapping said side rails, said frame having Vertical guideways, a pair of vertical guide bars in said guide- Ways, a'set of frames independently pivoted to said guide bars, eachV frame carrying a transfer roll, said transfer rolls having rollers riding on said side railsand transfer arms, a cam plate having a cam slot attached to said impression bar, a follower riding in said cam slot and attached to said transfer arms, means for moving said impression bar and said vertical guide bars in oppomaar? site" directions, said transfer rolls riding'. up onl said` transfer arms to contact said inkcylinder and riding down'on said side rails toapply ink to the type.

6. In a printing head, a frame, an ink-carrying roll, a horizontal platen, an impression bar carrying type, means for imparting a combined vertical and rotative movement to said impression bar so that, when in its upper position, the type faces the front of the machine and, when in its lower position, the type faces said platen, transfer mechanism comprising a transfer member engaging said impression b'ar, a vertical cross head, a frame pivoted to said cross head, said frame carrying a transfer roll, said transfer roll riding on said impression bar and on said transfer member, a cam plate attached to said impression bar, a follower riding on said cam plate and attached to said transfer member, and means for moving said impression bar and said vertical cross head in opposite directions, said transfer roll riding up on said transfer arms to contact said ink cylinder and riding down on said impression bar to apply ink to the type face.

LEVI P. HUGHES. 

